Bored to Death at Work? Dutch Workers Are Calling in Sick Like Never Before!
Ever thought boredom at work could be so bad it actually gets you off the job? Well, in the Netherlands, that’s exactly what’s happening – the number of sick days taken due to boredom and lack of challenge at work has skyrocketed a whopping 5.5 times in recent years! Yes, you read that right, five and a half times more people are calling in sick because their jobs are just plain boring.
What is Boreout and Why Should You Care?
While everyone talks about burnout – the stress and overload syndrome – the Netherlands is facing a new epidemic: boreout. This is when workers suffer from deep boredom, lack of motivation, and mental underload. Despite good salaries, jobs are so routine and unstimulating that people simply can’t force themselves to work. It’s especially common in business sectors where young employees often do tasks that don’t challenge their brains.
Sick from Boredom vs. Sick from Stress
Interestingly, although sick leaves due to burnout have also increased, they remain much lower – only 28% in the same period. So people are more likely to get sick from boredom than stress! Seasonal changes in sick leaves also show a significant drop in May, partly due to fewer flu cases and the effect of holidays.
What Does This Mean for Employers?
This trend is alarming. Employers face workers who are mentally checked out, dissatisfied, and increasingly using sick leave as an escape from boring jobs. This isn’t just a Dutch problem – it’s a warning for all countries with similar work conditions. If a job doesn’t provide challenge and meaning, workers will disengage and productivity will plummet.
Is Boredom the New Disease of the 21st Century?
While the world battles stress and burnout, boredom seems to be the new silent epidemic. People are ready to call in sick because their jobs are so uninteresting it harms their health. Maybe it’s time to ask – has our work life become too monotonous and meaningless?
Conclusion
The Netherlands sends a clear message: boredom at work isn’t just dull, it’s a serious health problem that can ruin careers and companies. If you want your workers happy and productive, maybe it’s time to offer them more than boring tasks.
What about you? Ever been so bored at work you thought about calling in sick? Or know someone who did? Share your stories, maybe together we can find a cure for this boring plague!
Sources:
- Arbo Unie Report, Netherlands
- Human Capital Care Data
- Biznis Kurir
- Tanjug
